headlamp PONTIAC TORRENT 2009 User Guide

The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles. This is
because the generator (alternator) may not be spinning
fast enough at idle to produce all the power that is
needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following are on, such as: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan
at high speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans,
trailer loads, and loads plugged into accessory power
outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s output
and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase engine
idle speed to generate more power, whenever needed.
It can temporarily reduce the power demands of some
accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels of
corrective action, this action may be noticeable to thedriver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC) message
might be displayed, such as BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE,
BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW, or LOW BATTERY. If this
message is displayed, it is recommended that the driver
reduce the electrical loads as much as possible. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-49.
Battery Run-Down Protection
The vehicle has a battery saver feature designed to
protect the vehicle’s battery.
When any interior lamp is left on and the ignition
is turned off, the battery rundown protection system
will automatically turn the lamp off after 20 minutes.
This will avoid draining the battery. This vehicle also
has a retained accessory power feature. If the radio
is on, it will turn off after 10 minutes or if any door on the
vehicle is opened. SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP)
on page 2-21.
3-17

Cruise Control Light
The cruise control light
comes on whenever the
cruise control is set.
The light goes out when the cruise control is turned off.
SeeCruise Control on page 3-10for more information.
Reduced Engine Power Light
Your vehicle has a
reduced engine power
light.
This light, along with the service vehicle soon light,
will be displayed when a noticeable reduction in
the vehicle’s performance may occur. Stop the vehicle
and turn off the ignition. Wait for 10 seconds and restartyour vehicle. This may correct the condition.
SeeService Vehicle Soon Light on page 3-40
for more information.
The vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed when
the reduced engine power light is on, but acceleration
and speed may be reduced. The performance may
be reduced until the next time you drive your vehicle.
If this light stays on, see your dealer/retailer as soon
as possible for diagnosis and repair.
Highbeam On Light
This light comes on when
the high-beam headlamps
are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8
for more information.
3-38

TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays as a reminder to turn off the
turn signal if you drive your vehicle for more than about
0.75 mile (1.2 km) with a turn signal on. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
This message displays and a chime sounds only
when the ignition is in ON/RUN. The message will not
disappear until the turn signal is manually turned off,
or a turn is completed.
DIC Vehicle Personalization
Your vehicle has personalization capabilities that allow
you to program certain features to one preferred setting.
All of the personalization options may not be available
on your vehicle. Only the options available will be
displayed on the DIC.
The default settings for the personalization features
were set when your vehicle left the factory, but
may have been changed from their default state
since then.
The personalization preferences are automatically
recalled.
To change personalization preferences, use the
following procedure.
Entering the Feature Settings Menu
1. Turn the ignition on and place the vehicle in
P (Park).
To avoid excessive drain on the battery, it is
recommended that the headlamps are turned off.
2. Press the vehicle information button until FEATURE
SETTNGS (Settings): PRESS
VTO SELCT (Select)
appears on the DIC display.
3. Press the set/reset button to enter the feature
settings menu.
If the menu is not available, FEATURE SETTNGS
(Settings): AVAILABLE IN PRK (Park) will display.
Before entering the menu, make sure the vehicle is
in P (Park).
Feature Settings Menu Items
The following are personalization features that allow you
to program settings to the vehicle:
DISPLAY ENGLISH
This feature will only display if a language other than
English has been set. This feature allows you to change
the language in which the DIC messages appear to
English.
Press the vehicle information button until the
PRESS
VTO DISPLAY ENGLISH screen appears
on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button to display
all DIC messages in English.
3-57

Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, slow
down and adjust your driving to these conditions. It is
important to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control more
limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction,
try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to
a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until
the vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on
the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving
because some drivers are likely to be impaired — by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by
fatigue.Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because headlamps can only light up
so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But, as we get older, these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
4-13

Repeat this until help arrives but only when you feel
really uncomfortable from the cold. Moving about
to keep warm also helps.
If it takes some time for help to arrive, now and then
when you run the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs faster than the idle
speed. This keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help with the headlamps.
Do this as little as possible to save fuel.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the
vehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-20.
If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often help
to free a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle’s traction
system in the Index. If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the traction system off
and use the rocking method.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high speed,
they can explode, and you or others could be
injured. The vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment re or other damage. Spin
the wheels as little as possible and avoid going
above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer.
For information about using tire chains on the vehicle,
seeTire Chains on page 5-69.
4-19

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-22
Cooling System............................................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23
Engine Overheating.......................................5-28Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-29
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-30
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-31
Brakes........................................................5-32
Battery........................................................5-35
Jump Starting...............................................5-36
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-41
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-43
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-43
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-43
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps....................................5-44
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-45
License Plate Lamp......................................5-46
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-46
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-47
Tires..............................................................5-48
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-49
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-52
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-55
High-Speed Operation...................................5-56
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-57
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the ller plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the ller plug hole.
A uid loss could indicate a problem; check and have
it repaired, if needed.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-13.
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset at the factory and
should need no further adjustment.
However, if your vehicle is damaged in a crash, the
headlamp aim may be affected. Aim adjustment to the
low-beam headlamps may be necessary if oncoming
drivers ash their high-beam headlamps at you
(for vertical aim).
If the headlamps need to be re-aimed, it is
recommended that you take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service.
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulbs, see
Replacement Bulbs on page 5-46.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer/retailer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions on the bulb package.
5-43

Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
2. Remove the three headlamp assembly attachment
screws.
3. Pull the headlamp assembly toward you to
release it from the hidden, lower headlamp mount.
The headlamp assembly will need to be carefully
disengaged from the vehicle.A. Sidemarker Lamp
B. Parking/Turn Signal Lamp
C. Low/High-Beam/DRL Headlamp
4. Pull the locking tab back on the bulb socket and
push the release tab in to release the wiring harness.
Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove it
from the headlamp assembly.
5. Pull the bulb straight out from the socket.
6. Push the new bulb into the socket and reinstall the
socket into the headlamp assembly by turning it
clockwise.
5-44

7. Reconnect the electrical connector.
8. Push the headlamp back into the lower headlamp
mount carefully.
9. Reinstall the three headlamp assembly screws.
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps
A. Stoplamp/Taillamp/Sidemarker Lamp
B. Turn Signal Lamp/Taillamp
C. Backup LampTo replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the liftgate. SeeLiftgate on page 2-12.
2. Remove the taillamp screw covers.
3. Remove the taillamp screws.
4. Pull the taillamp assembly towards you.
5. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove
the bulb socket from the taillamp assembly.
6. Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket.
7. Push the new bulb straight into the bulb socket until
it clicks.
5-45

8. Insert the bulb socket into the taillamp assembly
and turn it clockwise to secure.
9. Push the taillamp assembly straight into place on
the vehicle.
10. Reinstall the taillamp screws. Do not overtighten.
11. Reinstall the taillamp screw covers.
License Plate Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Remove the two screws holding each of the license
plate lamps to the liftgate handle.
2. Turn and pull the license plate lamp down through
the liftgate opening.3. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull the
bulb straight out of the socket.
4. Push the new bulb in and turn clockwise to lock into
place.
5. Push and turn the license plate lamp up through
the liftgate opening.
6. Reinstall the two screws holding the license plate
lamp to the liftgate handle.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamp Bulb Number
Back-Up, Rear Turn Signal,
Stoplamp and Taillamp3157
Front and Rear Sidemarker Lamp 194
Front Turn Signal Lamp 5702A
License Plate Lamp 9421330
Low/High-Beam Headlamp/DRL H13
For replacement bulbs not listed here, contact your
dealer.
5-46